Michael Howard Dext, a commercial fisherman who lived in Springs, died on April 25 at Stony Brook Southampton Hospital. The cause was heart failure. He was 67 and had been ill for the past year.
Described as “a quiet man,” fishing and family were what Mr. Dext enjoyed most. “He always looked out for everybody,” said his son, Michael Dext of East Hampton.
Mr. Dext was born in New York City on June 19, 1955, to Francis Howard Dext II and the former Patricia Marie Cahalin. He lived in New Jersey for part of his childhood, but his father began traveling to Montauk to fish and eventually the family moved there. Mr. Dext worked on commercial fishing boats, going on to work on party boats.
As his health declined over the past year, he had been at the Hamptons Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing in Southampton.
In addition to his son, he is survived by a daughter, Danielle Dext of Florida, by his grandchildren, Mikey and Savannah, and by his long-term girlfriend, Laurelea Campbell, with whom he had lived for many years, and her two daughters, Emily Campbell and Charlotte Campbell, and grandchildren, Oceanna, Cameron, and Colton. He also leaves a sister, Susan Maillet of Canada.
Mr. Dext was cremated. A celebration of his life will be held at a later date. Memorial donations to help the family have been suggested.
